Columbia Public Schools Archives

Columbia announces extension of lunch programs over the summer for students

May 23, 2023 11:29 AM Mitchell Kaminski

Students across Columbia Public Schools will head out Tuesday afternoon for summer break.

Over 1,300 seniors graduate from Columbia Public Schools

May 20, 2023 7:11 PM Abby Landwehr

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Hundreds of 2023 seniors graduated across Columbia over the weekend. Through four different high school ceremonies, over 1,300 students crossed the stage to receive their long-awaited diplomas. Frederick Douglass High School graduated Friday morning at the Missouri Theatre. David H. Hickman High School’s graduation followed later that night at Mizzou Arena. The

CPS graduations kick off; Douglass High School students graduate Friday morning

May 19, 2023 7:10 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Graduations have started for Columbia Public Schools, with Douglass High School being the first on Friday morning Students and families were in attendance at the Missouri Theatre. Hickman High School held its graduation Friday night at Mizzou Arena. Rock Bridge and Battle high schools will hold their graduations Saturday at Mizzou Arena. Battle’s

Columbia police: Juvenile detained after noncredible threat made on social media

May 19, 2023 2:39 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Police Department said Friday on its social media that a juvenile was identified and detained following a noncredible threat made on social media. “A juvenile subject was identified and detained, and investigation was turned over to the Juvenile Office. We take these incidents seriously and continue to work with CPS

CPS to hold graduations this weekend

May 16, 2023 3:12 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Graduations will be held this weekend for all four high schools in the Columbia Public Schools district. A CPS spokesperson said in a release that 1,331 students in total will be graduating on Friday and Saturday. The graduation schedule includes: Douglass High School: 10 a.m. Friday at the Missouri Theatre. Hickman High

CPS holds special session, discusses process to fill board vacancy after Sasser resignation

May 10, 2023 4:04 PM Avery Roehler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools held a special session Wednesday afternoon to accept Katherine Sasser’s resignation and discuss the process for appointing a board member. Sasser announced her resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. “My family is directly impacted by the legislation being considered in our state, that takes aim at LGBTQ+ family and

What’s next for Columbia Board of Education following sudden resignation of board member

May 9, 2023 5:54 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA Mo. (KMIZ.) There are several next steps for the Columbia Board of Education after one of its board members suddenly announced her resignation. Board member Katherine Sasser made her announcement at Monday night’s meeting. She voiced her concern citing state legislation targeting LGBTQ families and students. Sasser says her family no longer feels safe

CPS partnership with F.A.C.E offers resources for students grieving after classmate’s passing

May 8, 2023 10:32 PM Marina Diaz

Mental health resources are available to Columbia Public Schools students who are grieving after a Rock Bridge High School student was killed in a car crash over the weekend.

Sasser resigns from Columbia Board of Education

May 8, 2023 7:51 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Board of Education member Katherine Sasser announced her resignation at the Monday night Board meeting. Sasser had previously removed herself from participating on the Board at a February meeting, citing at the time a slew of bills being discussed in the Missouri legislature, including a number of recent anti-transgender legislative bills. “My

Yearwood expected to present goals for at Board of Education meeting

May 8, 2023 6:57 PM Avery Roehler

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools Superintendent Brian Yearwood is expected to present an achievement update along with goals for the district at the Board of Education meeting Monday night, according to the agenda. According to meeting documents, Yearwood is hoping to improve attendance and MAP testing scores, and lower out-of-school suspensions. The 2022-2023 school

CPS 2023-24 budget to include pay raises for employees

May 3, 2023 5:47 AM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.) The Columbia Board of Education on Wednesday reviewed the potential 2023-24 school year budget, which among several things, includes a salary increase for CPS employees. CPS has $10,459,241 set aside to cover the total cost of salaries and benefits. With $6,431,491 being used for employee salaries, and $981,417 being used to cover

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Is your child’s school secure and safe?

May 2, 2023 2:24 AM ABC 17 News Team

Missouri’s state government just gave out a round of grants to mostly small school districts to enhance their security measures.

169 Missouri school districts and charter schools awarded grants from School Safety Grant Program

May 1, 2023 1:24 PM Erika McGuire

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced Monday that 169 school districts and charter schools have been awarded grants from the School Safety Grant Program.

Rock Bridge High School students walk out, protest transgender medical restrictions

April 26, 2023 11:15 AM Nia Hinson

Rock Bridge High School students are planning to walk out of school Wednesday to protest restrictions that would make it harder for transgender people to get medical treatment.

School bus containing Hickman students involved in crash in north Columbia

April 21, 2023 5:01 PM Ryan Shiner

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) A school bus containing students from Hickman High School was involved in a crash Friday afternoon on Providence Road at Texas Avenue. Another vehicle appeared to hit the bus from behind and sustained damage. CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said in an email that the bus was rear-ended by the other vehicle. Columbia

Columbia Board of Education piloting new superintendent-evaluation process

April 20, 2023 6:30 PM Marina Diaz

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) The Columbia Board of Education unanimously voted at a work session Thursday morning to approve a new superintendent-evaluation process. The new evaluation process comes after three board members — Jeanne Snodgrass, Katherine Sasser and Suzette Waters — abstained from voting to renew Superintendent Brian Yearwood’s contract in January. Yearwood’s extension passed with

Mother of the victim speaks about lawsuit against alleged CPS student assault

April 18, 2023 5:41 AM Kennedy Miller

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ.) A local law firm held a press conference over a lawsuit against Columbia Public Schools, where the mother of the victim spoke. The office hopes to bring attention to the school district’s actions in a case of abuse. The alleged abuse dates all the way back between the years of 2015 and

Columbia Public Schools is aware of legal action against Evolv

April 12, 2023 4:36 PM Hannah Falcon

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) Columbia Public Schools is considering using an AI security technology called Evolv. However, a law firm is trying to file a lawsuit against the company for allegedly misleading shareholders. The school district demonstrated the weapons-detection system Tuesday at Hickman High School. A national law firm called The Schall Group is working on

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Should schools have weapon detection systems?

April 12, 2023 2:33 AM ABC 17 News Team

Columbia Public Schools leaders are considering a new security enhancement in district high schools.

Columbia Public Schools demonstrates weapons detection system at Hickman High School

April 11, 2023 12:05 PM Ethan Heinz

Columbia Public Schools demonstrated a “touchless” weapons detection system Tuesday in response to high school students’ calls for increased safety amid frequent school shootings.